Anthony Bourdain on the Food Network

**SANDRA LEE:** Pure evil. This frightening Hell Spawn of Kathie Lee and Betty Crocker seems on a mission to kill her fans, one meal at a time. She Must Be Stopped. Her death-dealing can-opening ways will cut a swath of destruction through the world if not contained. I would likely be arrested if I suggested on television that any children watching should promptly go to a wooded area with a gun and harm themselves. What's the difference between that and Sandra suggesting we fill our mouths with Ritz Crackers, jam a can of Cheez Wiz in after and press hard? None that I can see. This is simply irresponsible programming. Its only possible use might be as a psychological warfare strategy against the resurgent Taliban—or dangerous insurgent groups. A large-racked blonde repeatedly urging Afghans and angry Iraqis to stuff themseles with fatty, processed American foods might be just the weapon we need to win the war on terror.

Via columbina [1], “Guest Blogging: A Bourdain Throwdown [2]”

Ouch.

Anthony Bourdain, formerly a Food Network [3] chef, has some biting commentary on the remaining talent. And some of the comments are just as biting:

What sucks for anyone who really appreciates food is that Food Network is a business. An advertising and affiliate sales-driven business. They have to hire talent who will actually use the products that advertisers are buying time to promote. And, they have to hire talent that appeals to the lowest common denominator when it comes to cable subscribers. TVFN (Television Food Network) has become a hybrid of WWF (World Wrestling Federation), NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), The View and Friends— appealing only to people who say “hey buddy” and do finger-guns with a wink when they meet people, and find the jokes on popsicle sticks hilarious.

“comment [4] by DinerGirl [5]”

Double ouch.

[1] http://columbina.livejournal.com/69196.html

[2] http://blog.ruhlman.com/2007/02/guest_blogging_.html

[3] http://www.foodtv.com/

[4] http://blog.ruhlman.com/2007/02/guest_blogging_.html#comment-

[5] http://www.typepad.com/t/comments?__mode=red&id=28986661

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